If people thought last year’s near .500 finish was the
beginning of the demise of the UCLA men’s volleyball program,
2004 proved to everyone that UCLA is not quite ready to go
away.
The Bruins (24-6, 17-5 MPSF) finished the season ranked No. 3 in
the country and were one win away from making their first NCAA
Tournament appearance since 2001.
“The difference between this year and last year was night
and day,” coach Al Scates said. “The players came in
with a completely different attitude, and our seniors were leaders
from day one.”
This year’s senior class included middle blocker Chris
Peña, four-year starter Adam Shrader and opposite hitter
Marcin Jagoda, who all made significant contributions during the
season.
“From the beginning, we knew that this year was our last
chance to prove ourselves,” Jagoda said. “And we made
sure that we took advantage of the opportunities given to
us.”
Jagoda was one of many seniors who started their careers on the
second and third courts and were finally able to show their ability
during their senior season.
“I paid my dues during my freshman and sophomore
years,” Jagoda said. “But I was finally given my chance
this year, and the success I had was very gratifying.”
For all their accomplishments, however, this year’s senior
class may still be looked at as a failure. It was the first
four-year class in UCLA history not to win a national championship
and for the past three years, were unable to qualify for the NCAA
Final Four.
“I made sure never to mention that fact to the
players,” Scates said. “But I know that it was out
there and it was just added pressure for the players.”
In the end, the seniors’ season could be summed up in
three simple words: Long Beach State. The Bruins lost both matches
they played against the 49ers in the regular season and were swept
each time.
“We could just never get over the hump,” Scates
said. “We beat every team except for them, and it was just
frustrating.”
With their season on the line, the Bruins faced the 49ers in the
MPSF Semifinals in Provo, Utah but were swept again.
“We could have put the pressure on them if we had just won
one game,” Scates said. “But unfortunately that never
happened.”
Despite the Bruins’ inability to defeat the 49ers and win
the championship, this year’s vast improvement has a set a
strong foundation for next year’s team.
UCLA middle blocker Paul Johnson and outside hitter Kris
Kraushaar, both juniors, were two players who stepped up their
level of play this year and are expected to lead as senior captains
next year.
“If our seniors next year show the same leadership that
our seniors did this year, we will be able to build on this season
and improve,” Scates said.
Johnson and Kraushaar lead a strong returning class for next
year, which includes freshman opposite hitter Steve Klosterman and
junior outside hitter Jonathan Acosta.
“We have a very strong nucleus coming back next
year,” Acosta said. “Although we lost a few key
players, we’re going to have the same motivation to improve
that we had this year.”
The Bruins will also be helped by a strong recruiting class
coming in for next year. Five-foot-10 libero Tony Ker and 6-foot-8
middle blocker D.J. Stromath are both expected to compete for
starting positions next season.
“The freshmen next year will be a big help for our
team,” Scates said. “And their class will only be
better with the addition of (current redshirt) Julio
Acevedo.”
Next year, the Bruins will have the added motivation of having
the opportunity to play the NCAA Final Four at home in Pauley
Pavilion, the first time the Bruins have hosted the Final Four
since 1999.
“It always a big advantage for us to host the
playoffs,” Scates said. “We used to host the Final Four
all the time, and we are very pleased to have them here next
year.”